Alright class, gather ’round and let’s talk about the hot hockey gossip these days. So, former Edmonton Oilers enforcer Corey Perry is buzzing back into the NHL scene like a bee who’s finally found its hive after a two-month introspection sabbatical. Perry spilled the beans and all his feels Monday, TSN had a front-row seat to the confession booth, where Perry acknowledged that he has been on a self-improvement journey, holding hands with mental health pros.
The guy hasn’t laced up for a face-off since November 19th, and get this – the Chicago Blackhawks gave him the boot on November 30th due to some hush-hush “inappropriate conduct” they stumbled upon. Perry’s lips are sealed about whether he’s playing the ‘I’ll sue!’ card against Chicago for this contract kerfuffle.
Fast forward to Monday – boom, the Oilers slap a prorated deal on the table for the thirty-eight-year-old for the rest of the 2023-24 shindig. Commissioner Gary Bettman gave the thumbs up earlier in January, green-lighting Perry to skate with whoever dangles a contract, as the league didn’t tell him to take a timeout.
The Oilers’ head honcho, Ken Holland, has been playing long-game chess trying to snag Perry ever since the Anaheim Ducks said “buh-bye” to Corey in 2019. Since then, Perry’s been a journeyman, bouncing puck with the Dallas Stars, Montreal Canadiens, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Blackhawks before slamming down in Oil Country.
Holland can’t help but gush about Perry, telling The Athletic’s sharpshooter Daniel Nugent-Bowman, “I think he’s the type of player that everyone wants on their team.” And no lie, Perry’s stats back it up – he nailed nine points in sixteen games with the Blackhawks this season and boasts a hefty 421 career goals, not to mention his battle scars from 196 war games in the playoffs.
The Oilers are jonesing to throw Perry on the ice for this Saturday’s rumble with the Nashville Predators, hoping he’s the good luck charm they need to ride their wild thirteen-game hot streak. So, stay tuned, sports fans, as the Oilers look to keep their victory train chugging. And remember, whatever happens, you heard the deets here first, slathered with just the right amount of snark. You’re welcome! 🏒🥅
Remember, copying and pasting texts is a big no-no. This content was artfully crafted by the word wizards at Score Media Ventures Inc. in the grand year 2024. All rights reserved, and yeah, that includes magical reproductions under their spellbinding license.